Where to begin... maybe in the 3rd Age of Middle Earth? (In my case before Elementary School...)
I learned to read on Tolkien. My father read 'The Hobbit' to me at a very young age. I honestly think he was tired of 'The Cat in the Hat,' and just wanted something a bit "more" for his own entertainment as well as a continuing story for multiple bedtimes... but it didn't work that way for long. It quickly became my most requested story, and then one day he suggested I read it to myself.
I did. I vaguely remember getting to the end, and being horrified that there was more to the story that I didn't know! There are more books to this world? I had to have them. Thus by that fall, when I was to go to Kindergarten, I was struggling my way through 'The Silmarillion' for my own, and brought 'Farmer Giles of Hamm' for shared story time.
Some early time, just after initial release (Yes, White Box) I started playing, then within 2 Years DMing a D&D game... and have followed that through it's edition and company charges. I was drawn into Magic (the addiction) and still play (very casually.) while these are fun, I wanted something more.
Then, in College, a good friend introduced me to LARP, and the Idea of immersion Role Play. However, when he tried to start up the LARP he was familiar with (Amtgard,) locally it did not take hold.. at least not then. There was SCA, but they were both not Fantasy, and (at that time locally) not very welcoming.
However, over time the same LARP (albeit by a different sponsor) did eventually establish and grow here... and the SCA group went through a change in leadership and focus to become much more entry friendly.
At different times, I ended up trying both... for a while. As expected, real life has a way of pushing in, so as I grew older (more stable, a family, more responsibilities, ect) thus more of a frequent visitor to those realms that a regular. But I also found the focus wasn't what I wanted. Both Amtgard and SCA the primary focus is combat. While I find Swordplay, Pole Arms, and Archery interesting, they aren't what I was primarily interested in. However, a few of their special events I attended, like Ren Fairs, and Camping Trips, these hit my buttons so much better.
It has been a few years since I have been to either a LARP, or even SCA's Colleguim (crafting introductory courses,) but I have continued occasionally making/wearing Anachronistic items/clothes. Considering my hobbies include Woodworking, Spinning and Weaving, and I like the look of Fantasy/Renaissance/Medevil clothes, it should be no surprise that a lot of my wardrobe is at least inspired by those styles.
Recently, I stumbled across a group of hobbyist who are devoted to Lord of the Rings, living the dream fantastic at least part of the time, inspiring their crafts and leisure to promoting a semi-realistic (functional) way to walk on this Earth in a reflection of Middle Earth. I so love this idea, and it seems to be exactly the type of thing I was trying to do before.
SO, after a long pause, let's restart this again with the new year. beginning with restarting the 'Walk to Mordor' with my nerdy version of showing my intent by being in Garb of some sort. Making more Gab-esc clothing, and exploring Middle Earth's reflection in my own ways....
Aiden-
Shane-
Jan 2026
